Darshan: A mash-up of hip hop and Jewish mysticism
Stockbridge — Rimon Resource Center for Jewish Spirituality will present Darshan at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. A new Jewish musical project that combines deep engagement with sacred text and tradition, Darshan is a wholly unique blend of artistic elements, bringing together the soul-stirring melodies of Shir Yaakov Feit and Basya Schechter (Pharaoh’s Daughter) with the spine-tingling rap/poetry of Eden Pearlstein (ePRHYME).
Tickets are $20. Student and family discounts are available. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (413) 274-1034.
–E.E.
* * *
Delores Jones-Brown to speak at Miss Hall’s
Pittsfield — On Sunday, November 15, the Berkshire Human Rights Speaker Series will present Delores Jones-Brown at 2 p.m. at Miss Hall’s School. Dr. Jones-Brown, a former New Jersey prosecutor who is now a professor of law, police science, and criminal justice administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she directs the John Jay College Center on Race, Crime, and Justice, will give a talk entitled “The American Cop Out: Policing as the (Re)New(ed) form of Social Inequality.”
At the second talk in this series dedicated to the topic “Black Lives Matter,” Dr. Jones-Brown will discuss how American police forces have been used as the mechanism to ensure that African-Americans and other people of color are prevented from enjoying the “blessings of liberty” guaranteed by the nation’s founders. Using police data from New York City as an example, Dr. Jones-Brown will demonstrate how public safety discourse has masked the continued social oppression of racial and ethnic political minorities in the United States.
For more information contact Ricky Bernstein at rickypenrose@gmail.com or call (413) 229-7993.
–E.E.
* * *
Hillcrest to offers new graduate programs in January
Pittsfield – Hillcrest Educational Centers is partnering with Endicott College for the second year in a row to offer two new local graduate programs beginning in January 2016.
The two programs are a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) specializing in autism and applied behavior analysis and a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certificate program. The M.Ed. program will inform students about state-of-the-art special education strategies particular to individuals with the diagnosis of autism to increase student success and teacher effectiveness. Students who complete the 39-credit M.Ed. in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis program will earn master’s degrees in education and also will have met the educational requirements to sit for the examination to be certified as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), the internationally recognized certification offered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Along with the educational requirements, there will be a supervised practicum requirement. Individuals who already possess a master’s degree in education and/or psychology can apply for the BCBA certificate program. This 18-credit BCBA sequence involves six graduate courses and a comprehensive examination course.
More information is available at by contacting Katrina Cardillo at kcardillo@hillcrestec.org or (413) 499-7924 x114.
–E.E.
* * *
Jane Apkin on age-related voice changes
Pittsfield — On Thursday, November 12 at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host medical speech-language pathologist Jane Apkin who will present “Your Swallow Mechanism & Voice: Changes Associated with Age.” This free program at Congregation Knesset Israel is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community series.
Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is a significant health issue affecting millions. The same muscles control both swallowing and voice. Apkin will deliver an interactive presentation with valuable information about maintaining or restoring the swallow mechanism and voice as one ages.
In addition to her work as a speech pathologist, Apkin launched Seniors Helping Seniors® for Western Massachusetts, which matches active, compassionate seniors with other seniors of similar background and interests who need help to continue to live independently in their own homes.
For more information call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
* * *
The Log reopens at Williams College
Williamstown — An establishment long known as a student and alumni hangout at Williams College reopened its doors last week following a nine-month renovation project.
Built in 1941 by Kenneth Reynolds, Class of 1916, the Log was donated to the college as an Alumni House. Through the years it has served as a gathering place for students and alumni, featuring a snack bar, bar, performance space, and meeting area. The $4.5 million renovation project included substantial work to the building’s exterior and interior including new clapboard, a rebuilt deck, and a solar array that will generate approximately 25 percent of the building’s electricity needs.
–E.E.
